Under the caretaker management of Chris Morgan Sheffield United claimed their first victory in twelve league outings last Saturday when they beat Port Vale by two goals to one at Bramall Lane. The Blades took the lead through defender Neil Collins (12 minutes) headed goal and on 20 minute mark Vale were reduced to ten men when Danny Jones received his second yellow of the match with the visitors being forced into changes.
On the stroke of half-time they were level when Adam Yates (45) cross was miss-judged by George Long and the ball flew into the net. With 15 minutes remaining the Blades lead was restored when Captain Michael Doyle unleashed a shot 20 yards from goal which found the net. The victory was enough to catapult United out of the bottom four relegation spots.
Blades interim boss Chris Morgan is likely to be without midfielders Jose Baxter (knock) and Callum McFadzean (ankle) through injury.
Sheffield United could call upon the services of defender Marcus Williams and midfielder Florent Cuvelier to face their former club Peterborough United. Williams spent time at London Road whilst on a month’s loan from Reading in November 2010; he made just three appearances and left without scoring.
Cuvelier also was on Posh's books on a month’s loan in March 2013 and featured only once as a substitute in a 3-2 home wins over Watford.
Peterborough United continued their surge up the League One table with a 1-0 victory over Shrewsbury Town last Saturday. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing scored the game’s only goal at London Road to retain pressure on league leaders Leyton Orient with the Posh a point behind and five ahead of third placed Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Their victory over the Shrews has formed a run of seven games unbeaten and are currently hold six straight consecutive victories; their club record stands at nine and was completed between 1 February 1992 and 14 March when they beat; Reading (5-3), Hartlepool United (1-0), Stockport County (3-2), Fulham (1-0), Bolton Wanderers (1-0), Huddersfield Town (2-0), Bournemouth (2-1), Chester City (4-2) and ironically Shrewsbury Town (1-0) - there run came to an end with a 2-1 defeat at Bradford City
Posh boss Darren Ferguson is likely to field former Blade Nathaniel Mendez-Laing to face his former club. He was signed on loan by Danny Wilson in August 2011 from Wolverhampton Wanderers, making his debut in a 1-1 draw at Hartlepool United in the league cup (United winning 4-3 on penalties) and scored his only goal in a 4-0 win over Bury. Injury put paid to his time at Bramall Lane and he returned to Molineux having made 6 (+5) appearances and scored one goal.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Peterborough United 1 Sheffield United 1